Fluidized sand trap ejector

ABSTRACT

An ejector for a sand trap for sanding track rails by fluid eduction. A nozzle connected to an air pressure supply is located downstream from the sand chamber. An atmospheric air inlet communicates with the sand outlet from the sand chamber. The air jet from the nozzle creates a vacuum which draws sand from the sand chamber and ejects through a sand delivery pipe to the track rail.

ilited States tent Inventor Appl. No.

Filed Patented FLUIDIZED SAND TRAP EJECTOR Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant ExaminerHoward Beltran Attorney-Frease & Bishop 5 Claims ZDrawin F g [gs ABSTRACT: An ejector for a sand trap for sanding track rails LS. eduction A nozzle connected to an air pressure 1 k a, 291/11, 291/13 supply is located downstream from the sand chamber. An at- IIIK- Cl mosphe -ig air inlet communicates with the sand outlet from l /2 L522 the sand chamber. The air jet from the nozzle creates a Field of Search B65g/53/54; vacuum which draws sand from the sand chamber and ejects B61c/15/10, through a sand delivery pipe to the track rail.

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SHEET 10F 2 Waldcuna/ Benl'e ATTORNEYS FLUIDIZED SAND TRAP EJECTOR CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 841,397, filed July 14, 1969, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l Field of thelnvention The invention relates to ejectors for sand traps for delivering said under air pressure to track rails to promote more efficient wheel traction of a locomotive or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is common practice to provide sand traps upon railroad locomotives for delivering said to the track rails when necessary to provide more effective wheel traction.

But so far as applicant is aware, all such sand traps as have been produced heretofore have ejected the sand from the trap by means of compressed air connectedto a nozzle located within the sand chamber. The pipe leading from the source of air pressure to the nozzle is usually of considerable length. When the valve to the nozzle is closed for some time condensation collects in the air pressure pipe and dampens the sand, causing it to clog in the trap and pipe system so that it is impossible to deliver sand to the track rails when needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general terms, the invention may be described as comprising a sand chamber with a sand inlet at its top and sand outlet at one side communicating with a downwardly directed sand delivery pipe.

A downwardly directed air nozzle is located in the upper end portion of the sand delivery pipe, and an air pressure pipe with a valve therein is connected to the air nozzle. An atmospheric air inlet communicates with the outlet from the sand chamber. This atmospheric air inlet may be in the form of an aperture in the pipe connecting the outlet of the sand chamber to the sand delivery pipe, or it may be a pipe adjustably located through the opposite side of the sand chamber.

A lip is formed at the upper end of the sand delivery pipe, on the side thereof toward the sand chamber, to prevent sand from accidentally spilling from the sand chamber into the sand delivery pipe.

The side of the air nozzle toward the sand chamber may be shielded to protect it against abrasion by the sand. This may be accomplished by thickening the nozzle on that side or by covering that side of the nozzle with rubber, or both. Or as shown in one embodiment of the invention, the end of the air nozzle may be located above the outlet pipe from the sand chamber so that the sand will not come in contact therewith.

With the sand chamber being continuously filled with sand by gravity, when the air pressure valve in the cab is opened the air jet from the nozzle will create a partial vacuum in the upper end of the sand delivery pipe.

This will cause air at atmospheric pressure to pass through the atmospheric air inlet forcing sand from the sand chamber into the sand delivery pipe, where it is picked up by the air-jet from the nozzle and delivered to the track rail.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a sand trap ejector in which sand is ejected from the sand chamber by eduction produced by vacuum thereby eliminating any chance of condensation coming into contact with standing sand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sand trap ejector of the character referred to in which the sand chamber has an outlet at one side connected to a sand delivery pipe, with means for admitting air under pressure to the sand delivery pipe and means for admitting atmospheric air to the outlet of the sand chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a sand trap ejector in which the flow of air pressure and atmospheric air are both controlled by valves.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sand trap ejector of this type in which atmospheric air is admitted to the sand chamber through an adjustable pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sand trap ejector of the character referred to in which a shielded nozzle within the sand delivery pipe communicates with the air pressure pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a sand trap ejector in which a lip between the outlet of the sand chamber and the inlet to the air delivery pipe prevents sand from accidentally spilling from the sand chamber into the sand delivery pipe.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sand trap ejector of the character referred to in which atmospheric air is admitted to the outlet pipe from the sand chamber through an aperture therein.

These and other objects, apparent from the drawings and following description, may be attained, the above described difficulties overcome, and the advantages and results obtained, by the apparatus, construction, arrangement and combinations, subcombinations and parts which comprise the present invention, preferred embodiments of which, illustrative of the best modes in which applicant has contemplated applying the principle, being set forth in detail in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a sand trap ejector showing one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a similar view of another and preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, a sand chamber 1 is enclosed within the T-cross 2. A sand inlet 3 at the top of the sand chamber is screw threaded as at 4 to receive the threaded end of an upright pipe 5 which leads to an overhead reservoir of sand (not shown) by means of which the sand chamber 1 is kept continually filled with sand, which piles up in the sand chamber, as indicated by the broken line 6.

One end of the T-cross 2 has the internal screw threads 7 which receive the threaded cleanout plug 8. The plug 8 has internal screw threads 9 into which the atmospheric air pipe 10 is threaded. A lock nut 11 locks the pipe 10 in adjusted position relative to the plug 8.

As shown in the drawings, the inner end 12 of the pipe I0 is located within the sand pile in the sand chamber. An elbow 13 is shown on outer end of the atmospheric air pipe 10, and a short section of pipe 14 connects the same to the valve 15 by means of which the amount of atmospheric air admitted to the sand chamber may be controlled or entirely shut off as desired.

The outlet of the sand chamber 1 has internal screw threads 16 which receive one threaded end 17 of a section of a pipe 18. The other threaded end 19 of the pipe 18 is received in the internally threaded end 20 of a specially constructed coupling indicated generally at 21, which may be located at any reasonable distance from the sand chamber. This coupling is shown in the form of an elbow, the downtumed outlet end of which is internally threaded as at 22 to receive the threaded upper end of the sand delivery pipe 23 which leads to the track rail to be sanded.

An upright lip 24 is formed in the coupling 21, at the top of the side of the sand delivery pipe 23 toward the outlet from the sand chamber 1. This lip is for the purpose of preventing sand from the sand pile in the sand chamber from accidentally spilling into the sand delivery pipe 23 due to the motion of the locomotive or other vehicle upon which the sand trap ejector is mounted.

A depending nozzle 25 is located in the top of the coupling 21 and preferably extends down below the bottom of pipe lb.

The upper portion of the coupling 21 is internally threaded as at 26 to receive the threaded lower end of an air pressure pipe 27 which leads to any suitable source of air under pressure. A valve 28 is located in the air pressure pipe 27 for controlling the air pressure admitted to the nozzle 25 or shutting it off entirely. The usual air pressure valve controlled from the cab is located in the pipe 27 upstream from the valve 28 as in ordinary practice, and is not shown.

For the purpose of protecting the nozzle 25 against abrasion by the sand, the side of the nozzle toward the sand chamber may be considerably heavier, as indicated at 29. As an altemative or as a further precaution for shielding the nozzle toward the sand chamber.

if desired, a clean out plug 31 may be located in the bottom of the T-cross 2 for cleaning out the pipe 5.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, which is preferred over the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the sand chamber 1a is enclosed within the T- coupling illustrated generally at 2a. A sand inlet 3a at the top of the sand chamber is screw threaded as at 4a to receive the threaded end of an upright pipe 5a which leads to an overhead reservoir of sand by means of which the sand chamber la is kept continually filled with sand, which piles up in the sand chamber, as indicated by the broken line 6a. One end of the T- coupling 20 has internal screw threads 7a which receive the threaded clcanout plug 8a.

The outlet of the sand chamber la has internal screw threads 160 which receive one threaded end 17a of a section of pipe 180. The other threaded end 19a of the pipe 180 is received in the internally threaded inlet 20a of a T-coupling indicated generally at 210, which may be located at any reasonable distance from the sand chamber 1a. This T- coupling has the downtumed outlet end threaded as at 22a to receive the threaded upper end of the sand delivery pipe 23a which leads to the track rail to be sanded.

An upright lip 24a is formed in the coupling 21a at the top of the sand delivery pipe 23a toward the outlet from the sand chamber la. This lip is provided for the purpose of preventing sand from the sand pile in the sand chamber from accidentally spilling into the delivery pipe 230 due to the motion of the locomotive or the vehicle upon which the sand trap ejector is mounted.

A depending nozzle 25a with sharp conical end 25b located above the top of the outlet pipe 18a is threaded into upper end of the T-coupling 21a as indicated at 26a. An elbow 31a has one end threaded into the bore 32 of the nozzle, as indicated at 33. A choke pipe 34 with extremely small bore 35 has one end threaded into the other end of the elbow 31a, as indicated at 36. The other end of the choke pipe 34 may be threaded into an adapter 37, a similar adapter 38 being threaded into the other end thereof. An air pressure pipe 27a is connected to the adapter 38 and leads to any suitable source of air under pressure. The valve 28 is located in the air pressure pipe 27 for controlling the air pressure admitted through the choke 34 to the nozzle 25:: or shutting it off entirely. The usual air pressure valve controlled from the locomotive cab is located in the pipe 27a upstream from the valve 28a as in ordinary practice, and is not shown.

OPERATION First the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described as follows:

The valves and 28 are open at all times unless it is desired to take the sander out of service, at which time the valve 28 will be closed. Air pressure to the pipe 27 is controlled as in ordinary practice by a valve in the cab ofthe locomotive.

When it is necessary to deliver sand to the track rail, the valve in the cab is opened to send a blast of compressed air from the nozzle 25 through the delivery pipe 23.

As the nozzle 25 is creating a partial vacuum at the top of the sand delivery pipe 23, atmospheric pressure entering the pipe 10 will force sand from the sand chamber 1 into the delivery pipe 23 where the air jet from the nozzle will deliver sand to the track rail.

The valve 28 may be regulated to control the force of the air jet through the nozzle 25, and the valve 15 may be regulated to control the flow of atmospheric air through the pipe 10. The pipe 10 may be adjusted longitudinally within the sand chamber 1, by the screw threads 9 and held in adjusted position by the lock out 11 to control the amount ofsand delivered to the sand delivery pipe 23.

When the required amount of sand has been delivered to the track rail, the valve in the cab is closed as in ordinary practice. It should be understood that since sand chamber 1 is supplied with sand by gravity from an overhead sand supply, the chamber 1 will remain filleti'to about the broken line 6 at all times.

In order to clean out the air delivery pipe 23, the valve 15 may be closed and the air pressure valve in the cab may be opened, sending a blast of compressed air from the nozzle 25 through the delivery pipe 23 without drawing any sand from the sand chamber into the delivery pipe.

The operation of the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG. 2 is as follows:

The valve 28a is open at all times unless it is desired to take the sander out of service, at which time this valve will be closed. Air pressure to the pipe 27 is controlled as in ordinary practice by a valve in the cab ofthe locomotive.

When it is desired to deliver sand to the track rail, the valve in the cab is opened to send a blast of compressed air from nozzle 25a through the delivery pipe 23a.

As the nozzle 25a is creating a partial vacuum at the top of the sand delivery pipe 230, atmospheric pressure entering the sand outlet pipe 18a through the aperture 39 will force sand from the sand chamber 10 into the delivery pipe 235 where the air jet from the nozzle 25a will deliver sand to the track rail. For this purpose of preventing the moisture from passing through the aperture 39 any suitable form of shield, such as indicated generally at 40, may be provided therefor. The valve 28a may be regulated to control the force ofthe air jet through the nozzle 25a.

When the required amount of sand has been delivered to the track rail, the valve in the cab is closed as in ordinary practice. It should be understood that since the sand chamber la is supplied with sand by gravity from an overhead sand supply, the chamber la will remain filled to about the broken line 60 at all times.

it will be seen that the improved device eliminates the chance of condensation that may form in the pipe 27a from coming in contact with standing sand and causing an unflowable sand condition. Any condensation that may form would drip harmlessly away through the choke 34, elbow 31a and nozzle 25a to the sand delivery pipe 2311.

I claim:

1. A sand trap ejector including walls enclosing a sand chamber the bottom wall of which is horizontally disposed, a sand inlet in the top of the sand chamber, a sand outlet in one side of said sand chamber and extending downward to said bottom wall, a horizontally disposed tube communicating at one end with said sand outlet, a downwardly disposed sand delivery pipe communicating at its upper end with the other end of said horizontally disposed tube, a downwardly directed air nozzle communicating with the upper end of the sand delivery pipe, an air pressure pipe connected to said air nozzle, and an atmospheric air inlet communicating with the top of said horizontally disposed tube.

2. A sand trap ejector as defined in claim I in which the diameters of the horizontally disposed tube and the sand delivery pipe are as large as the diameter of the sand inlet to the sand chamber.

3. A sand trap ejector as defined in claim 1 in which the entire air nozzle is located above the top of the horizontally disposed tube.

4. A sand trap ejector as defined in claim 1 in which there is an upright lip at the upper end ofthe sand delivery pipe on the diameters of the horizontally disposed tube and the sand delivery pipe are as large as the diameter of the sand inlet to the sand chamber and in which the entire air nozzle is located above the top of the horizontally disposed tube. 

1. A sand trap ejector including walls enclosing a sand chamber the bottom wall of which is horizontally disposed, a sand inlet in the top of the sand chamber, a sand outlet in one side of said Sand chamber and extending downward to said bottom wall, a horizontally disposed tube communicating at one end with said sand outlet, a downwardly disposed sand delivery pipe communicating at its upper end with the other end of said horizontally disposed tube, a downwardly directed air nozzle communicating with the upper end of the sand delivery pipe, an air pressure pipe connected to said air nozzle, and an atmospheric air inlet communicating with the top of said horizontally disposed tube.
 2. A sand trap ejector as defined in claim 1 in which the diameters of the horizontally disposed tube and the sand delivery pipe are as large as the diameter of the sand inlet to the sand chamber.
 3. A sand trap ejector as defined in claim 1 in which the entire air nozzle is located above the top of the horizontally disposed tube.
 4. A sand trap ejector as defined in claim 1 in which there is an upright lip at the upper end of the sand delivery pipe on the side toward the horizontally disposed tube to prevent sand from accidentally spilling from said horizontally disposed tube into the sand delivery pipe, said lip being the only obstruction in the sand chamber, horizontally disposed tube or sand delivery pipe.
 5. A sand trap ejector as defined in claim 4 in which the diameters of the horizontally disposed tube and the sand delivery pipe are as large as the diameter of the sand inlet to the sand chamber and in which the entire air nozzle is located above the top of the horizontally disposed tube. 